Synonyms

elicit

American

[ih-lis-it] / ɪˈlɪs ɪt /

verb (used with object)

to draw or bring out or forth; educe; evoke.

to elicit the truth;
to elicit a response with a question.

elicit British

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

verb

to give rise to; evoke

to elicit a sharp retort
to bring to light

to elicit the truth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

elicitable adjective
elicitation noun
elicitor noun

Etymology

Origin of elicit

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēlicitus “drawn out” (past participle of ēlicere ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( e- ¹ ) + lici- “draw, lure” + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like her blog, her book takes discrete pieces of information—biographical details, scientific trivia, “on this day” connections between disparate discoveries and figures—and elicits from them a narrative.

From The Wall Street Journal

This elicited a flurry of protests, and Callaway again began the arduous task of quieting everyone down.

From Literature

A mention of the illustrious bird-of-paradise flower elicits coos and awe from the women.

From Los Angeles Times

But this latest step by Burger King elicited swift condemnation among some social media users who described it as "dystopian".

From BBC

Comments that once elicited antagonistic barbs are met with calm acceptance.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023